Sunday musings – October 1, 2017
Fall has arrived taking over one’s sensory experiences. The sights, sounds, smells, touches and tastes of fall in this little section of the world are poignant reminders of the gifts of mother earth when we allow a synchronistic relationship with her. The fall season will be experienced much differently in other parts of the world. In some, such as those torn apart by war or so-called natural disasters, it may seem more like a season of death. In Puerto Rico, for example, not only is fall generally subtler, but following two devastating hurricanes it is hard for anyone to imagine that this is a time for closing down one chapter and quietly preparing for a new, even richer chapter.
The week for me has, in many ways been a metaphor for the fall season. I was invited to check out my progress for letting go of my expectation that my energy level will always be at least 150%. Despite strict instructions that the cold which was visiting had outstayed its welcome and would be gone by Thursday, it continued to linger on. Dinner with friends close to my age reminded me that we are nearing the winter of our lives although we continue many days to be blessed with evidence of spring. Attending presentations by young entrepreneurs reminded me that young people are shaping an exciting future. Although we who are in the fall and winter of our lives have an exciting role to play, it is time to turn over much of the leadership to the youth. Attending a class for new ways of looking at addiction remind me growing always involves the death of old ideas, some time for allowing new ideas to form and being patient while they prepare to bud. Attending a funeral to say goodbye to a man I had learned to rely on, respect, and love reminded me that we only have a moment to enjoy this dance.
When I sat down to respond to some emails, I started to say, despite the fact that I had been out of bed for nearly 5 hours today, I have accomplished very little – almost nothing. Then I mentioned that I had done some laundry, touched base with 30 or so people via the internet, visited with folks at the gym and incidentally worked out, visited with a couple I have long admired and who I know have much to teach me and spent 30 or 40 minutes with a friend who is sad and hurting. It is funny that no matter how often I have said or written that nurturing each other is a very important and valuable use of our time, the truth I learned as a child - that only concrete tasks testify to one’s commitment to work or count as doing something worthwhile- is still a very strong message or truth in my brain. What I believe today is that I made very loving decisions to spend my time and energy this week on what is most important – taking care of myself and others. The cleaning, laundry, decluttering, and other tasks will get done or not. I do seem to manage to pay bills, keep the health department from closing down my home and office, do enough laundry to have clean clothes and enough cooking to give my body what it wants and needs.
It has, after all, been another week of blessings too numerous to list. It has been another week in what was important got done. The house may not be pristine, but it is comfortable, inviting and lived in. Some tasks will no doubt will still be undone in weeks or months to come. I will not be the most well-read and well-informed, the most up to date culturally, or the hippest leader.
I may this day following the Jewish day of atonement still have much for which to atone. Hopefully, I do not have to atone for failing to love well this week.
The harvest today seems to me abundant.
Written October 1, 2017
Fall has arrived taking over one’s sensory experiences. The sights, sounds, smells, touches and tastes of fall in this little section of the world are poignant reminders of the gifts of mother earth when we allow a synchronistic relationship with her. The fall season will be experienced much differently in other parts of the world. In some, such as those torn apart by war or so-called natural disasters, it may seem more like a season of death. In Puerto Rico, for example, not only is fall generally subtler, but following two devastating hurricanes it is hard for anyone to imagine that this is a time for closing down one chapter and quietly preparing for a new, even richer chapter.
The week for me has, in many ways been a metaphor for the fall season. I was invited to check out my progress for letting go of my expectation that my energy level will always be at least 150%. Despite strict instructions that the cold which was visiting had outstayed its welcome and would be gone by Thursday, it continued to linger on. Dinner with friends close to my age reminded me that we are nearing the winter of our lives although we continue many days to be blessed with evidence of spring. Attending presentations by young entrepreneurs reminded me that young people are shaping an exciting future. Although we who are in the fall and winter of our lives have an exciting role to play, it is time to turn over much of the leadership to the youth. Attending a class for new ways of looking at addiction remind me growing always involves the death of old ideas, some time for allowing new ideas to form and being patient while they prepare to bud. Attending a funeral to say goodbye to a man I had learned to rely on, respect, and love reminded me that we only have a moment to enjoy this dance.
When I sat down to respond to some emails, I started to say, despite the fact that I had been out of bed for nearly 5 hours today, I have accomplished very little – almost nothing. Then I mentioned that I had done some laundry, touched base with 30 or so people via the internet, visited with folks at the gym and incidentally worked out, visited with a couple I have long admired and who I know have much to teach me and spent 30 or 40 minutes with a friend who is sad and hurting. It is funny that no matter how often I have said or written that nurturing each other is a very important and valuable use of our time, the truth I learned as a child - that only concrete tasks testify to one’s commitment to work or count as doing something worthwhile- is still a very strong message or truth in my brain. What I believe today is that I made very loving decisions to spend my time and energy this week on what is most important – taking care of myself and others. The cleaning, laundry, decluttering, and other tasks will get done or not. I do seem to manage to pay bills, keep the health department from closing down my home and office, do enough laundry to have clean clothes and enough cooking to give my body what it wants and needs.
It has, after all, been another week of blessings too numerous to list. It has been another week in what was important got done. The house may not be pristine, but it is comfortable, inviting and lived in. Some tasks will no doubt will still be undone in weeks or months to come. I will not be the most well-read and well-informed, the most up to date culturally, or the hippest leader.
I may this day following the Jewish day of atonement still have much for which to atone. Hopefully, I do not have to atone for failing to love well this week.
The harvest today seems to me abundant.
Written October 1, 2017
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